What does Pablo Neruda refer to in the last verse of his poem "La Anaconda Copper Mining Company"?
"Y hay una y otra cruz torcida
en las laderas infernales
como única leña dispersa
del árbol de la minería."
He is talking about the sacrificed lives that are the result of the mining company's lack of care of the miners.
They are being "crucified" by the company. The only "ore" of the mine are the crosses that mark the deaths of these miners.
In the last verse of Pablo Neruda's poem "La Anaconda Copper Mining Company," he refers to the twisted crosses on the infernal slopes as the only scattered firewood from the tree of mining. This imagery suggests the destructive and exploitative nature of the mining industry, symbolized by the Anaconda Copper Mining Company, and the suffering it brings to the workers and the environment. The twisted crosses may also allude to the loss of human life and the religious symbolism associated with sacrifice and martyrdom.
In the last verse of his poem "La Anaconda Copper Mining Company," Pablo Neruda refers to the crosses that can be found on the infernal slopes, acting as the only scattered firewood from the tree of mining.
To understand the meaning behind this verse, it is helpful to examine the context of the poem. "La Anaconda Copper Mining Company" criticizes the destructive impact of the copper mining industry, particularly the negative effects on the environment and the lives of the people in the surrounding areas.
In the final verse, Neruda describes the presence of "una y otra cruz torcida" which translates to "one and another twisted cross." This imagery of the crosses suggests human suffering, loss of life, and tragedy associated with the mining industry. It symbolizes the lives lost as a result of the industry's disregard for human well-being and the long-lasting consequences it leaves behind.
Neruda further describes the crosses as "única leña dispersa del árbol de la minería," meaning "the only scattered firewood from the tree of mining." Here, he implies that the only remnants or consequences of the mining industry are the crosses, symbolizing death and despair. This line serves as a powerful condemnation of the Anaconda Copper Mining Company and the broader mining industry's exploitative practices.
In summary, the last verse of the poem "La Anaconda Copper Mining Company" by Pablo Neruda refers to the crosses found on the infernal slopes, symbolizing the human suffering and tragic loss of life caused by the copper mining industry.